Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with a markedly elevated
risk of developing atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease …

Aim: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have been shown to block matrix
metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity, which plays a role in atherogenesis. MMP-9 activity of …

Background Excessive cholesterol accumulation in macrophages underlies foam cell
formation, initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. LDL oxidation and unregulated …

Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) induced a foam‐cell‐like phenotype of the
vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), leading to the inflammatory responses incorporating …

As patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases live longer due to improved therapies and
preventive measures, death and disability from cardiovascular events are increasing …

Macrophage foam cells formation is the most important process in atherosclerotic plaque
formation and development. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is one of the important innate …

Objectives The leading cause of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We have shown that murine arthritis impairs …

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and NF-κB play central roles in mediating signal
transduction of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) superfamily in human macrophages. The …

Objective—Hypertriglyceridemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Elevated plasma very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) puts insulin-resistant patients at risk for …

The activation of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) stimulates foam cell formation, which is a key
early event in the process of atherosclerosis. In the present study, the role of toll/interleukin-1 …